Robert (Bob) E. Gilbert was born in Flint Michigan in 1927. His parents were Clarence E. and Bertha L. Gilbert. The Family moved to a farm near Bellevue Michigan in 1947.
Bob served in the military during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and served as a Seaman 1st Class aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bob married his high school sweetheart (Iris Anne Young) on June 28th, 1947. Together, they raised two children (Cynthia Anne Gilbert-Fadel and Robert E. Gilbert Jr) and remained happily married for 71 years until Iris passed away in 2018.
Bob had a variety of jobs over his life. He worked as a plumber, sold fruit, and was a window washer before spending 36 years with the Sears Roebuck Company where he ran the automotive department and sold appliances. He retired from Sears in 1986. Bob and Iris also served on the Calhoun County chapter of the March of Dimes (he was the County chairman and Iris was the executive director)
Bob enjoyed playing basketball, golf, and bowling in local leagues. He loved watching pro football and was a Detroit Lions fan throughout his life. He loved to laugh and found humor in much of life.
Bob was a "people person." Through his work, he built hundreds of friendships with people from all walks of life. Bob enjoyed getting to know people and remembered details about them all throughout his 95 years. Within his personal life, Bob and Iris were tightly integrated in a large extended family and were at the center of a large social network of friends. They were well-known patrons of local restaurants and nightclubs and hosted many fun-filled parties at their house.
Bob was a devoted family man, husband, and wonderful father and grandfather. He volunteered to serve his country during war. He was an honorable man and cherished the friendships he had with countless people. Bob was gentle and kind to all and had a knack for making people laugh and smile.
How did this partial story of his life come to be told? It is told through the perspective of his children and grandchildren who watched and learned from the life he led as it played out before their eyes. We love you dearly dad (and Da) and are going to miss you more than words can describe.